Whether you’re new to caravanning or not, you’ll know how black streaks can wreck an otherwise stunning caravan’s appearance. Without the right product, removing black streaks can be a thankless task. And with the wrong product, you can actually damage your caravan.
Firstly, I’ll explain what black streaks actually are. Then we’ll compare some of the best caravan black streak removers available.
What Are The Black Streaks On Caravans?
Many presume that the black streaks on caravans are just dirt that’s been washed down the caravan. However, that’s not strictly true. The black streaks are usually caused by a build-up of biofilm, or the degradation of the black rubber seals that surround the windows and door of caravans.
Biofilm is a term that encompasses various bacteria and microorganisms. A common example of biofilm is dental plaque, which forms on teeth and can cause tooth decay.
As you’ll have seen, there are gutters above the door and the windows on caravans. Biofilm grows in these gutters – and then rain washes the biofilm down the side of your precious caravan.
However, black streaks are also caused by the degradation of the black rubber seals that surround the door and windows of caravans. Rubber degrades over time, which is unavoidable. However, as the rubber degrades, it can leave black streaks down the side of your caravan.
So the black streaks on caravans are caused by degrading rubber seals, dirt, or biofilm. But the cause of the black streaks doesn’t matter so much. What matters is removing the black streaks. So in the next part of this post, I’ll explain how you can remove black streaks on your caravan and the best products you can use to make your life easier.
How To Remove Black Streaks On Your Caravan
So, you’ve got a black streak problem. How do you remove these black streaks? I’ve got some good news and some bad news.
Starting with the bad news, soapy water and a sponge is unlikely to do the trick. Most of the time, black streaks will be too severe for a bit of soap and water. Besides which, abrasive soap can actually damage your caravan even more.
And now the good news: there are several specially-designed and formulated products available that will remove black streaks on your caravan. All you need is a bit of time and patience.
Before we take a look at some excellent black streak removers, here are some general tips for effectively removing black streaks on your caravan:
- First and foremost, clean the surface of your caravan with diluted soap: Before you use your black streak remover, give your caravan a general clean with soap diluted in water. Black streak remover can be very expensive, so you want to use as little as possible. Cleaning with diluted soap may remove some of the black streaks and marks on your caravan. You won’t have to use as much black streak remover if you give your caravan a general clean first.
- Use a product that you can safely use on your caravan: This might seem like common sense, but ensure you use a product that’s safe for use on caravans. There are abrasive products out there that promise to remove dirt and scratches, such as T-Cut. However, a product like T-Cut is so abrasive that it might damage your caravan further by stripping paint off it. There are many products out there that are completely safe to use on a caravan – so use those! In the next section of this blog post, I’ll recommend some of the best products that you can safely use on your caravan.
- Multiple applications may be needed, so don’t get disheartened: Depending on the severity of the black streaks, multiple applications of your chosen black streak remover may be needed. If you aren’t able to remove the black streaks with one application, don’t get disheartened.
3 Best Caravan Black Streak Removers
No one likes struggling to remove black streaks from their caravan, but it’s something you’ve got to do. Fortunately, it’s made much easier thanks to a range of products designed to remove black streaks on your caravan without causing any damage to it.
Here are the 3 best caravan black streak removers. I haven’t tried all three, but these are all proven to be very effective at removing black streaks on caravans.
Fenwick’s Black Streak Remover
Fenwick’s black streak remover for caravans is an excellent product designed to safely remove unsightly streaks from your tourer. It can also be used to remove streaks on motorhomes as well as caravans.
The product is very easy to use, as this version comes in a spray bottle. Some black streak removers require you to mix them and then apply using a sponge or something alike. Fenwick’s has created a easier to use product here, because you simply spray the surface and then wipe it off with a cloth or sponge. It also allows you to cover a wider area at one time, so you can get the job done faster.
It’s also very cheap, available for around £7 or less at the moment. You can currently purchase it on Amazon by clicking here, where it is available for £6.85 at the moment.
The only drawback of this product, in my opinion, is its effectiveness with tough, stubborn black streaks. It’s perfectly good for recent streaks, but not very effective on streaks that have been there for a long time. I think this is because it’s pre-mixed, rather than rather than concentrate that you mix yourself. However, it’s not the product for you if you are trying to remove stubborn streaks.
Rhino Goo Concentrated Caravan Cleaner
Rhino Goo black streak remover is another excellent product for removing bad, stubborn streaks from the surfaces of your ‘van. This is the best black streak remover I’ve used personally.
Rhino Goo is very effective, but doesn’t cause any damage to your caravan. It’s a specially formulated product manufactured with caravans in mind, meaning it is perfectly safe to use. However, it is perhaps the most effective product out there for removing black streaks, whether they’re new or old.
Rhino Goo’s streak remover is a very popular product for removing stubborn streaks that have tarnished a caravan’s body for a long time. It removes ingrained, stubborn stains that cannot be removed by a pre-mixed product, such as the aforementioned Fenwick’s black streak remover.
Rhino Goo’s black streak remover is available for around £16. You can purchase it on Amazon by clicking here. After using it, I can personally attest to the quality of this product and its effectiveness. And while £16 might seem a little steep, you’re purchasing a concentrated cleaner that makes up 50L of cleaning product.
Silky Cream Cleaner
Silky cream cleaner is a non-abrasive yet super-effective black streak remover formulated for caravans. This is one of the best products for removing black streaks, as hundreds of reviewers attest.
Silky black streak remover is an interesting option, as it’s a cream rather than a liquid product. You apply it directly to the black streaks using a damp cloth and rub it to remove the streaks. Rather than leaving the product on your caravan for a few minutes, Silky acts within seconds and immediately removes streaks.
Silky is also great at removing stubborn black streaks. It’s fantastic to hear that even stubborn streaks can be removed within seconds thanks to Silky and a bit of elbow grease. Which actually brings me onto the only negative of this product: it does require a bit of effort. This isn’t a wipe-on, wipe-off solution. You need to give it some welly, but it will work if you do.
You can purchase Silky caravan cream cleaner for around £10, so it’s inexpensive too! You can buy it on Amazon today by clicking here.
And The Streaks Are Gone!
All of these products are great black streak removers. Your caravan will be sparkling again in no time.
It’s worth remembering, however, that black streaks will always come back. So you’re probably going to have to clean your caravan again this time next year! It isn’t such a pain once you have the right product, fortunately.
Anyway, I hope this blog post has helped you to discover a black streak remover suitable for cleaning your caravan effectively.